Wideman-Harris-Willis Cemetery

McCormick County, SC

Time and Mother Nature tend to reclaim everything. How true this is with the evolution of the Wideman-Harris-Wilkes Cemetery in McCormick County, SC.

To determine the location of this cemetery has been a project of mine for several years. My 4th G Grandfather, Adam Wideman is laid to rest here, as well as my 5th G Grandfather, John Harris.

The cemetery is in the Sumter National Forest on land that once was know as the Dansburg plantation. The Wideman connection to this Dansburg plantation is unknown to this author.

I , along with my mother, first visited the area in March of 2001 to find the cemetery, I was armed with GPS coordinates taken from an electronic  map ( Garmin Map Source ver 4.0 ). After searching in the heavy woods for a couple of hours, the search was abandoned ( for this visit ).

The next and successful visit was in April of 2001. With accurate directions provided by Cousin, Ed Morrah, the cemetery was easily located. The difficulty in its location on our first visit was due to the GPS coordinates taken from the map - they were about 1/2 mile from the cemetery's location. If I could find that map maker....

The cemetery can be located by the following directions: From the town of McCormick, SC, take SR 28 N and go till you reach the intersection of S 33-38. Turn to your right. There is an historical marker ar \t this intersection. Go about 2 miles to where the pavement ends and a "T" of roads intersects. At this junction is the old Wideman plantation house "Ivy Gates". Proceed on the dirt road straight ahead ( has a sign Road Closed  - due to the bridge over Long Cane Creek being out ). Continue on this dirt road about 1 mile, cross bridge over creek and then take first dirt road on your right. Follow this road 1.1 ( the road takes a sharp 90 degree turn to your left about 1 mile in ) miles. You will see a place where there is a turn off from this road and the shoulder is higher than anywhere else along the road. Here is growing a lone cedar tree about 3 feet tall ( N33 59.493 W82 22.418 ) ( April, 2001 ). You will see red paint on two trees, enter the woods here and follow the red painted trees about 400 yards until you come upon the cemetery ( N33 59.482 W82 22.416 ). The cemetery is outlined in trees with blue paint on them ( to mark the location for a logging operation that is going on in the area ).

An aerial photo of the road can be seen at http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/printimage.asp?S=10&T=1&X=1866&Y=18810&Z=17&W=2. This is a 1994 photo. The center of the cemetery will be found 5and 7/8 inches down from the top of photo and 2 and ¼ inches from left side

A topographical map of the cemetery can be seen at http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3761831&e=373024&s=25&size=m. The location is marker with a red cross at the left edge of the knoll. The road is barely discernible, but runs through, and just to the right of the center of the knoll.

Those laid to rest in the Wideman-Harris-Wilkes Cemetery:

There are unidentified stone markers in neat rows that show that there must  be  150-200 graves in this cemetery.

John Harris, South Carolina, PVT 1 Regt. S.C., Continental Line, Revolutionary War ( has a VA Marker as well )

Sacred to the memory of Thomas J. Willis, who departed this life 20 July 1843, Aged 20 years 7 months & 22 days. Cut down in the bloom of youth to bloom in immortal glory. Cherished and loved by all who knew him. Blessed are the dead to die in the Lord.

Adam Wideman, SC. Pvt. SC Militia, Revolutionary War, 1761 - 1842

In memory of Lucy Carolin, wife of Adam Wideman ( son of the above Adam Wideman ), Born March 15, 1812, Died April 27, 1848, Aged 36 years 1 month and 12 days. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.

M. E. McK, 1852

E. W., 1840, 1---- (illegible)

W. M. W., 1840

J. H. W., 1832

F. C. W., 1835

M. W., 1834

F A H

G E. W., 1829

J. K. W., 1837

J. L. W., 1846

In memory of Sarah Ann Cowan, consort of Wade Cowan, Born Febr. 3rd 1818, Died Dec. 10th 1854, Aged 36 years and 10 months, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints

W. H., 1844

J. H., 1850

In memory of Margaret Cowan, consort of Wade Cowan, Born Sept. 14, 1824, Died Oct. 4, 1852, Aged 28 years & 20 days, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints

It is a shame that the final resting place of two Patriots who fought so that we could have a United States of America has all but vanished. Lets not ever let their memory vanish....